I became a volunteer for this organization after I adopted my first German shepherd from them. He had been in a boarding kennel located a great distance from my home. Someone had driven all that way... more

I’ve volunteered with GSROC since adopting my first [amazing!] dog from them. Since then, I’ve fostered two puppies, both of whom became foster failures. The dedication of their volunteers is astounding and inspiring. These good people give up their weekends to bring dogs to adoption events, even when it means spending many hours in blistering heat. Or rain. Or cold. They’re willing to drive to distant shelters to save dogs who will otherwise perish. Many of the dogs they take in are the ones in greatest need - the ones who require expensive medical treatment and the ones who will take extra time, patience, and love to recover from their sad, often horrific, pasts. GSROC never gives up on anyone. For dogs lucky enough to end up in this safe haven, bright futures lay ahead.

I became a volunteer for this organization after I adopted my first German shepherd from them. He had been in a boarding kennel located a great distance from my home. Someone had driven all that way to bring him to an adoption event in Orange County because he had a chance at finding a home that day. I was so impressed and deeply moved by these people’s passion and dedication.

Our volunteers have saved terrorized dogs dodging cars on freeways, regularly pull dogs slated for euthanasia at our many overcrowded shelters here in Southern California, and take in dogs who simply have nowhere else to go. We find homes for approximately 400 dogs per year.

Running a large and multi-faceted rescue requires more than just passion and dedication. It also requires organization, professionalism and efficiency. We have that in our director, Maria Dales. A former business executive, she sets very high standards in every aspect of the rescue.

Our animals receive good medical care, training, and whatever else is necessary to ready them for adoption. GSROC maintains rigorous standards for potential adopters, and we work very hard to make good matches between our dogs and adopters to ensure permanent placements. Fundraising to make all of this possible is never ending, and the number, variety and originality of our fundraisers is very impressive.

GSROC is the probably the best run and most successful rescue in our state, and quite possibly, the nation.

Ways to make it better...

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

Take in more dogs and transport them to other rescues around the country where they have far fewer dogs for adoption.

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Would you volunteer for this group again?

Definitely

For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?

So this may be a biased review. I have fostered for this rescue for just over a year now. We have fostered close to 40 puppies in that time. These pups have all had the best of care and placed in the best homes. We have never wanted for anything for these babies. This is a fantastic rescue organization. We have also had the pleasure of keeping in touch with many of the forever families. These pups have been placed in the best homes and that is due to the diligence of this organization.

I am also a "foster failure" twice over. Two of the pups we fostered decided that our home would be their forever home. So I have had the experience on both sides of this organization. It has been and continues to be a great pleasure.

Great organization. GSROC is like a big family that works 24/7 to ensure the safety of many animals in need and giving new a new chance in life. Its amazing to witness how dedication, love and effort transform these animals from shy unwanted to beautiful, proud and amazing pets. All the dogs are carefully assessed and the potentials families are evaluated to ensure both dog-family are a good fit. This is one of the most professional and dedicated organizations I have had the opportunity to volunteer.

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Would you volunteer for this group again?

Definitely

For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?

Tireless, dedicated and selfless are only three of the words that describe this incredible organization. To see a group of people work so closely together to achieve one goal, saving as many dogs as possible, is inspiring. I have both volunteered and adopted from GSROC and I can honestly say this is an incredible team of people. The dogs that come into the arms of GSROC are fortunate indeed as they will receive the best fosters, medical attention and lots of love and care.

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Would you volunteer for this group again?

Definitely

For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?

Life-changing

Did the organization use your time wisely?

Very Well

Would you recommend this group to a friend?

Definitely

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

I have been a volunteer for this group, more commonly known as German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County (GSROC), since 2005. I had never intended to become a volunteer for them. We just sought them out to adopt a dog. We were in search of a German Shepherd and at a humane society event we met a lady who had a wonderful GSD and she told us that she adopted through GSROC. I had never even heard of rescues before. Our experience with working with GSROC volunteers was so wonderful we started donating money on a regular basis to help dogs needing special vet assistance. After a few months of "just" being a donor I made the leap to being a volunteer. The dedication, hard work, and compassion displayed by all the volunteers is contagious. After just few months of volunteering all I could think was, "How can I not be a volunteer for this group?" They are amazing. I am constantly wowed by each volunteers commitment. The make you want to work even harder! And they do it for one reason and one reason only, to help dogs in need of loving and forever homes. They are all so inspiring!

Ways to make it better...

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

Build them a gigantic facility so that they can save and house more dogs.

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Would you volunteer for this group again?

Definitely

For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?

I have been volunteering with this organization for almost 10 years now, and have adopted three dogs from them as well. I have seen all facets of the rescue world during this time, from rescuing dogs from the shelters, to accepting owner surrenders from families that can no longer keep their pets, to taking rescued animals to vets when they need medical attention, to walking the dogs to get them fresh air, as well as conducting home visits to ensure that our dogs are going to go into a safe and loving environment after all we went through to make sure they are safe! There is no better reward then when these dogs finally get a forever home. None of this would be possible without the constant work behind the scenes, and the leadership provided in this organization. Time and time again I see our volunteers drop everything in their own lives to get these dogs safe, or rally together to raise funds for a dog that needs medical attention. There are a lot of rescues out there, but the Association of German Shepherd Rescuers, AKA German Shepherd Rescue of OC is tried and true. It is an inspiration, and I expect I will be volunteering with this organization until I am no longer able.

Ways to make it better...

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

Nothing

More feedback...

Would you volunteer for this group again?

Definitely

For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?

Being a volunteer for this organization is a very rewarding experience. One time I went to pick up a dog at a shelter, but when I got there, they told me he was not adoptable because he was sick ; they did not know I was from the rescue. I called my contact and she called them and they released the dog to me, and I immediately took him to one of their wonderful vets. The shelter was going to put this little puppy down, but because I was there his life was saved. He has grown up to be the most beautiful and loved dog.

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Would you volunteer for this group again?

Definitely

For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?

I have written for this group and been able to know first hand their incredible rescue successes for roughly three years. This rescue exceeds all my expectations for its organization, dedication, ... more

I am writing about this group as both volunteer writer and donor. Although I live in Canada and this group is based in Orange county, I have written on-line articles for them about their rescue dogs and helped produce pamphlets as well. I think that says enough in itself that someone such as myself from outside the country would invest time and effort as a volunteer . I have done so because I am so incredibly impressed with their professionalism, commitment, follow-through and caring about each dog that they rescue. I frankly can not find a group of similar quality to compare them to.

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Would you volunteer for this group again?

Definitely

For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?

A lot

Did the organization use your time wisely?

Very Well

Would you recommend this group to a friend?

Definitely

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

I have written for this group and been able to know first hand their incredible rescue successes for roughly three years. This rescue exceeds all my expectations for its organization, dedication, compassion, and consistency. I am amazed at this group of people who really care and work hard together every week-end year round to orchestrate adoption events. Even on Christmas Day, they managed to rescue a sick dog!! Remarkably, this past year they have found great adoptive homes for over 400 German Shepherd dogs, including those that were sick, abused, and neglected as well as handicapped or senior dogs.

More feedback...

Would you volunteer for this group again?

Definitely

For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?

A lot

Did the organization use your time wisely?

Very Well

Would you recommend this group to a friend?

Definitely

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

I am both a donor and volunteer with this group. I have been in the rescue world for 25 years in many other groups, and have yet to find one that measures up to this one. This group goes into some of the worst shelters in Southern California and takes out not just the young dogs, but the injured, the sick and the old ones - the ones that many other rescue groups pass by because of the cost of caring for some of these dogs. This group does not. They are rescued, rehabilitated and placed in loving homes. No dog is ever placed in a home that has not been thoroughly checked out and visited by one of the many experienced volunteers. I am proud to be a member of this "pack" of volunteers who give their hearts and devotion to this group and to every dog that is rescued.

More feedback...

Would you volunteer for this group again?

Definitely

For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?